Frank Bodani: Air of unease surrounds Bill O'Brien future

Penn State Head Coach Bill O'Brien points up at the screen after the call for a touchdown was reviewed at Beaver Stadium. O'Brien's refusal to answer a question about his future at Penn State with a 'yes' or a 'no' has fans uneasy. (Daily Record/Sunday News -- Kate Penn)

York, PA - When Bill O'Brien finished talking but before his players started, a reporter looked down and shook his head.

"I can't take another coaching search."

He was speaking to no one in particular and yet to an awful lot of people.

Even just a hint that Bill O'Brien could be open to bolting Penn State after one year to become a head coach in the NFL is more than the nation's largest dues-paying alumni base can probably deal with. As well as the other countless followers of the program and those connected to it in some fashion.

Just not now.

Not after the last year.

You could call it a hint, an opening, wiggle-room, negotiating space, the voice of integrity.

Talk to Frank

York Daily Record/Sunday News reporter Frank Bodani talks Penn State football with readers.

Call O'Brien's response to the Saturday evening line of postgame questioning whatever you want.

But when he wouldn't give a "yes" or "no" answer to a question about being the Penn State head coach next year, it simply makes people uneasy, yet again.

It doesn't mean he's leaving or has been offered a promising deal by someone like the Jacksonville Jaguars. Or that he would even seriously consider one.

Actually, it probably means, more than anything, that O'Brien is more upstanding that most in his profession. He won't say one day he is definitely returning and then, after getting blown away by an offer he didn't see coming, turn around and leave the next.

He doesn't want to lie.

Think of it this way: It's difficult to fault anyone from accepting a better-paying, more powerful job opportunity whenever it comes. In any business.

No, the reason O'Brien's dance step is so tough to take is because Penn State doesn't have practice dealing with mobile football coaches.

And, more importantly, simply because of the last year's unbelievable turmoil that seems to never end.

Jerry Sandusky's scandal.

Joe Paterno's firing.

Then his death.

Then the NCAA sanctions.

And then a season of on-field recovery marred by bad bounces, bewildering officiating calls and a dramatic, gut-punch injury to the team's emotional leader.

It just seems like there's never a chance to settle and reflect, to take a breath and enjoy what you're seeing and hearing.

And that's one thing to deal with for players and coaches who have control over the situations, at least some of them.

To the followers, it gnaws at them, in the least, and feels excruciating, in the worst.

It's all too much to digest -- even the mere possibilities of such changes.

* * *

And it seems to be coming from all directions, with more Sandusky-related trials awaiting after the holidays. And now, even a sudden and strange timing of more possible Big Ten expansion.

Maryland and Rutgers joining the league as early as this week?

Certainly, as far as moving the football-excitement meter, these additions would do nothing for most.

However, would they be in the positive interest of Penn State fans and in the long-term strength of the Big Ten?

That seems debatable.

Just another thing to figure out with so much else going on.

Already, there is senior day at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, the final game for arguably the most legendary class at Penn State.

There's Mike Mauti's uncertain future.

There's the soon-to-be revived open season on recruiting Penn State players. Will any others leave the fold?

And now there's O'Brien.

This comes despite his honesty and expected loyalty and the rich buyout demands.

Which means there are far too many reasons why he still will be the coach of the Nittany Lions next year and beyond.

There are good enough reasons why he answered the way he did after the Indiana game.

And yet that doesn't matter, in a way.

It can't, at Penn State.

Just not now.

Frank Bodani is a sports reporter for the Daily Record/Sunday News. Reach him at 771-2104, fbodani@ydr.com or @YDRPennState on Twitter.